In the first film she's über-cool, with later in the film layers of a vulnerable, disturbed kid. She was about 12. Did most of her own stunts. In the second film she's somewhat older (15) and there are more layers of the teenager questioning identity and her position among high school class mates. That's an even greater performance.

I sometimes argue that there's never a real fight between female and male characters in action films, that if there is a fight the female action hero always cleanly knocks out the male baddies. But I stand corrected here. There's a full out fight between a male baddie and the 12yo girl and she receives a lot of punches, having to dig really deep to survive.

I'm not promoting violence of any kind, but I like films being different. If it's an action film and you're going to have violence anyway, this sure is different.

Another great thing about Kick Ass 2 is that it also has Lindy Booth and Ella Purnell in it.